Every evening, after a long day of helping others, the mission team would gather for dinner and to unwind.
Members would take turns sharing thoughts about their life and faith, all while far from home, living part of a new story they are sure to share down the road.
Sixteen members of First United Methodist Church, Schuylkill Haven, traveled to Dorado, Puerto Rico, to help a struggling sister Methodist congregation, River of Living Water Church from Jan. 17 to Jan. 25. The group gathered during a recent service to share stories of their work and experiences on the trip.
For the pastor, the Rev. Christopher Fisher, co-lead and chaplain for the team, it was his second mission trip to Puerto Rico. He has done several mission trips with First UMC since arriving at the church in 2005.
First UMC has participated in many short-term missions over the years, he said, including several to help rebuild in the Gulf Coast following Hurricane Katrina; two trips to help at an orphanage in Namibia, Africa; and many youth mission trips to various communities in the mainland United States.
This was the second trip to help River of Living Water.
“The first trip in 2018 was to help rebuild after Hurricane Maria,” Fisher said. “This time, the same church asked us to come again to refurbish their building, which was in disrepair and subject to serious corrosion and decay problems. The tropical environment is hard on buildings, even without hurricanes.”
Meeting strangers who treat you like family makes for an unforgettable, humbling environment, he said.
For Cindy Dros, Cressona, it was a trip home.
“I am Puerto Rican, so I did not need to be convinced to do this trip,” she said. “Going to Puerto Rico to serve is an honor and privilege for me, not to mention I love my tiny island and the beautiful people there.”
She said the culture is warm and welcoming and that guests are greeted as family.
It was the third mission trip to Puerto Rico for Dros.
“Serving the beautiful church community and the pastors helps them to know and understand that they are not alone or forgotten by their church community on the mainland U.S.,” she said. “The most mind-blowing aspect is that we went to serve and bless them, yet they blessed us with meals and generosity” despite their lack of means.
The team began by tackling small construction projects. Those who knew how to paint, painted. Others cleaned everything in sight. Renovations of church areas, bathrooms and living quarters for the pastor were also completed.
Outside, a large tropical hardwood tree was removed, and the area was prepped for construction of a backyard.
“When we first got there and made it to the church, and saw all the tasks that we had to get done in the five days, I was like … we’re never going to get all this done,” said Adam Kraft of Schuylkill Haven. “But we got it all done, and more, and it was truly amazing that God allowed us to get all this work done.”
Kraft shared his thanks for everyone’s love, support and prayers before and during the trip. And he thanked the host church.
“The love, support and hospitality of the Dorado congregation was truly amazing,” he said.
The trip included time to explore the community, including shopping for groceries, exploring a cave, trying local food and meeting local church members.
First UMC is planning more mission trips, with a possible return to Puerto Rico, that it hopes help build up community relationships locally and abroad.
“I believe short-term mission trips are a blessing to those who go and to those who are helped,” Fisher said. “Team members bond together and build deeper friendships as they serve together, while also being a blessing in their work according to host site needs. They also have the opportunity to learn and appreciate another people and culture, and to grow spiritually as they are stretched by serving others.”
Fisher noted First UMC does mission projects locally, including the Vineyard, a food pantry at 10 a.m. on the first Wednesday of each month that offers free fresh produce and groceries to anyone in need.
“We also have a free community lunch on the second Saturday of every month, which is available to anyone in our wider community who is hungry,” he said.
The church tries to organize a short-term mission team about every other year, alternating between youth and adult-focused teams.
“We also offer seasonal spiritual programs for community children and their families within Schuylkill Haven,” Fisher said.
Source: Berkshire mont
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